Does Oatmeal Decrease Baby and Food Bloating?
Oatmeal is a highly nutritious whole grain that's loved across the world by people of all ages because of its health benefits. With so many vitamins and minerals, and its renowned ability to boost satiety and lower blood cholesterol, children and adults cannot get enough of oatmeal.
One notion we have heard about oatmeal's powers is that it decreases food bloat and baby bloat because it is low in calories. This article will be throwing light on the ability of oatmeal to reduce bloating and answer all your questions in this regard.
What is Bloating?
For clarification purposes, bloating is an uncomfortable feeling that occurs when you're unable to pass out intestinal gas. However, you get relief when you have a bowel movement or pass gas.
Because bloating is uncomfortable, you're advised to prevent it by staying away from foods that are high in fat or those known to cause gas, such as beans, cabbage, and broccoli.
It is also important to watch your stress levels because it can cause bloating. Smokers, people with lactose intolerance, celiac disease, and irritable bowel syndrome are also prone to bloating.
So, the big question has been how can we stop bloating, and what role does oatmeal have to play?
Now, let's talk about that.
What is the Oatmeal Diet, and how is it done?
If you're embarking on the oatmeal diet for any reason, particularly for weight management, there are several ways to go on the diet.
In the first week, it is best to eat 1/2 cup of oatmeal with 1/2 cup of skimmed milk on every meal. Use plain oatmeal and not instant oatmeal.
In subsequent weeks, you can add other regular foods to your diet, but you must also eat 1/2 cup of oatmeal at every meal. This time, you can use instant oatmeal.
The list of foods that we consider regular foods include fish, chicken, sugar-free pudding, vegetables, fruits, club soda, and tea.
The oatmeal diet reduces your daily calorie intake and ensures it stays between 900 and 1,300 calories a day.
Does an Oatmeal Diet Really Relieve Bloating?
The primary reason why oatmeal has been touted as a diet that relieves bloating is that it is low in calories. And yes, a low-calorie diet like oatmeal could help you lose weight, which would amount to fewer feelings of bloating.
However, the fact that oatmeal contains fiber means that it is very likely to cause bloating rather than remedying it.
Oatmeal contains soluble fiber that doesn't get broken down until it gets to the large intestine where it gets digested. This very nature of the fiber causes gas that can increase bloating.
So, on one hand, it's promising, but on the other, it isn't.
Some persons also consider fruits and vegetables to ease bloating, but the fact is that they produce gas, so they are less likely to reduce bloating and more likely to cause it.
So, is the oatmeal diet treatment for Bloating?
It is unlikely that oatmeal can treat food bloat and baby bloat. However, if you continue to suffer bloating, making some other diet changes might become necessary.
As for babies, although oats are not something to afraid of for babies, oatmeal can cause baby bloating, allergic reactions, and possible choking hazards.
Consider reducing your intake of foods that produce gas and those high in fiber. For lactose intolerance, use lactose-free milk.
Regular exercise and consuming lots of water can also prove helpful.
When feeling discomfort, you can buy digestive aids at a nearby pharmacy to help.
